TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Monday, 22nd December 2025
Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Hilton teams up with Explora Journeys to expand loyalty programme to luxury ocean voyages
TTG Asia | Cross Hotels to develop Bali Uluwatu Resort
TTG Asia | PATA Singapore Chapter debuts industry dialogue on hot issues
Page 1574

Next Story Group pens new shared space concept

By TTG Asia
0

Next Story Group, recently rebranded from the SilverNeedle Group, is hoping to assert its newfound mission of reimagining urban spaces through the launch of its new community hub concept in Hong Kong and Taipei by year-end.

Named Kafnu, the concept is a blended space synthesising co-working, co-living, hotel, retail and private club – with each location meant to organically develop into a unique community for locals and visitors. Kafnu is targeted at “the new generation of creators” ranging from entrepreneurs to remote workers, artists and nomads.

Facilities will include shared work spaces, meeting rooms, communal lounges and kitchen areas, private sleep pods, gymnasium with personal trainers, and a craft whisky bar.

Morris Sim, chief marketing officer of Next Story Group, said: “The new generations in Asia live in shades of gray: working, playing, living, learning, and resting all blend together in their worlds. Kafnu is a concept designed precisely for their lifestyles. They have different needs, so we built a different space just for them.”

With their diverse technology, media and creative communities, Hong Kong and Taipei are seen as ideal first locations for the first Kafnu shared spaces.

In Hong Kong, Kafnu will open within Kerry Hotel in the Hung Hom area of Kowloon; while in Taipei, it will occupy a 12-storey building in the Songshan neighbourhood, just three minutes’ drive from the city airport.

Kafnu is inviting entrepreneurs, hoteliers, chefs, bartenders, fitness gurus “or anyone with a particular talent” to audition to run and operate its Hong Kong and Taipei spaces. Cash subsidies of up to US$250,000 will be granted those selected. For more details and to submit an audition, visit www.kafnu.com.

TripAdvisor, Deliveroo team up for food delivery deal

By TTG Asia
0

TripAdvisor will integrate food delivery service Deliveroo’s restaurant network into its mobile web and mobile app experiences across 12 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

With this, consumers browsing TripAdvisor restaurant listings will have the option to order food from Deliveroo’s restaurant partners, which total over 20,000 in the relevant markets. Clicking the “Order Online” button will take them to Deliveroo’s online or mobile platforms where they can place their orders.

The integration expands TripAdvisor’s food delivery service into 12 new countries: the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.

“Through this partnership with Deliveroo, we aim to give our restaurant listings a new way to engage with the TripAdvisor community – both at home and on-the-go… and new services like food delivery create incremental value for both businesses as well as consumers,” said Bertrand Jelensperger, senior vice president, TripAdvisor Restaurants.

TripAdvisor aims to “serve as a one-stop shop for diners around the world”, he added.

New hotel openings: Jackalope Hotel, Harbin Wanda City and more

By TTG Asia
0

Jackalope Hotel
The 46-key Jackalope Hotel has opened in Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula. Set on a vineyard, rooms range from the 38m2 Terrace or Vineyard View to the 85m2 Lair, the latter boasting an expansive 30m2 terrace that overlooks the vines, a double-sided indoor/outdoor fireplace, a six-seater indoor dining table, kitchenette, cocktail bar and a personal wine cellar. Regardless of category, the price of a stay includes complimentary mini bar, daily breakfast and Wi-Fi. Amenities on the property include a 30m-long infinity pool, two F&B options named Doot Doot Doot and Rare Hare, as well as a winery and cellar door.

Harbin Wanda City
Wanda Hotels & Resorts has opened the Harbin Wanda City – comprising 252-room Wanda Vista Harbin, 395-room Wanda Realm Resort Harbin and 415-room Crowne Plaza Harbin Songbei. The hotel cluster’s recreational and entertainment facilities include nine F&B options, an outdoor theme park, an indoor skiing court, an indoor ice rink and movie park. For meetings and events, the three hotels in total boast 16 conference and banquet rooms with a 6,500m2 of space, and more than 30,000m2 of outdoor lawn area.

 

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Kota
Offering 85 rooms and suites, the Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Kota is the first international brand to open in the Indian city of Kota. Rooms come furnished with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, minibar, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and satellite TV. Aside from four restaurants and bars, the hotel also has wellness facilities such as a rooftop swimming pool, spa, steam room and health club. There is also a 1,858m2 outdoor garden and 948m2 of indoor meeting space for corporate events.

Shangri-La Hotel, Yiwu
Part of the 52-storey mixed-used Yiwu World Trade Centre in Zhejiang Province, the property offers 362 rooms and suites that start from 48m2 and 96m2 respectively. The property also offers 136 residences that come with a living and dining area, and a kitchen. Amenities include three F&B venues, a spa, fully-equipped gym, an indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna and steam rooms. For meetings and events, the hotel boasts more than 3,880m2 of event space, comprising 11 functions rooms and a 2,000m2 pillarless Grand Ballroom with the capacity for 1,000 guests banquet-style.

Alila Ubud
Alila Ubud has launched six new Terrace Tree Villas – five one-bedroom units and one exclusive two-bedroom unit with a private pool. The new one-bedrooms have about 80m2 of indoor space, adjoined by a 43m2 outdoor garden and courtyard, while the two-bedroom unit spans 190m2, which includes a 40m2 private pool. All villas are furnished with complimentary Wi-Fi, a 40-inch LCD TV with satellite, 300-threadcount bed linen, an indoor bathtub, outdoor rain shower and jet shower. Facilities on-site include Spa Alila, Cabana Lounge, Plantation Restaurant and a 25m-long infinity pool.

The dark side of dark tourism

By Marissa Carruthers
0

Slaughter sites and killing fields are a major money-maker in Cambodia, but is this right? Marissa Carruthers reports the dark side to them as the kingdom moves on from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime


Skulls of torture victims resting in a stupa at the Killing Fields outside of Phnom Penh

As a country ravaged by decades of war, Cambodia is littered with former slaughter sites, killing fields and bitter memories for those who survived. While Angkor Wat remains the main tourist draw, the capital’s barbaric S-21 prison and nearby Choeung Ek – one of the largest killing fields – also top the list of attractions.

S-21 or Tuol Sleng – the political prison where an estimated 17,000 Cambodians were tortured to death or sent to be slaughtered at Choeung Ek between 1975 and 1979 – receives 500 visitors daily, with more than 800 a day venturing to the Killing Fields during high season.

And while most international tour operators omit it from their itineraries, many tourists seize the opportunity to include the shooting range in the popular Choeung Ek-S-21 trip. Here, large sums of money are paid to fire AK47s, rocket launchers and other ageing weapons.

Pierre-Andre Romano, general manager of EXO Cambodia, said: “This is definitely not tourism. It’s voyeurism. You can go and learn about the Khmer Rouge, then pretend to be one? That isn’t right.”

According to Elizabeth Becker, a war correspondent who covered Cambodia throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Cambodia’s genocide tourist attractions should not exist. In her book, Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism (2013), she accuses the country’s dark tourism industry of being exploitative and disrespectful to those who died, and those who survived.

It’s ‘education’
However, Kimhean Pich, CEO of Discover the Mekong, disagrees. He said these dubious attractions not only drive tourism but provide a way to educate the world, and Cambodians.

He said: “For local people, these are places to learn about our bitter history and to make sure we avoid repeating (the same) mistake in the future. For tourism, it is a unique product and attracts many visitors. Other countries can create similar events, temples and infrastructure, but they can’t make up a history like ours.”

But Romano argues it is time for Cambodia to “turn the page” and start promoting the country’s other unique products, such as the wealth of community projects, rare wildlife and rural living. He added Exo Travel includes the Killing Fields and S-21 on tours due to high demand.

He said: “Of course, these sites are necessary for the education of Cambodians and to help the country understand and move forward. But for tourism, no.”

As visitor numbers to genocide-related sites increase, reports of vandalism and disrespectful behaviour are on the rise. At Choeung Ek, visitors have been found collecting bones. Inappropriate selfies are often snapped in front of the blood-splattered torture tools at S-21 and graffiti sprawled across images of Pol Pot.

Last year, outrage erupted when Pokemon Go players stormed S-21 to capture characters. It resulted in the game being banned.

This is an issue Pich said needs to be tackled, with tour guides and agents having a role to play.

He said: “Before they visit the site, visitors need to be clearly informed about their behaviour. It is difficult for tourists to truly understand what our dark history means to us. Even some Cambodians have difficulty understanding, unless their family, relatives or they themselves experienced the regime. Guides and tour leaders must translate those memories to be understood well by tourists and ask for their respect.”

One organisation that is using tourism as a tool to educate and help the country heal is the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam). It has spent the last few years working in the remote area of Anlong Veng, the final Khmer Rouge stronghold.

Home to 14 landmarks, including Pol Pot’s cremation site and home of infamous commander Ta Mok, the area is predominantly inhabited by former Khmer Rouge cadres, who are exiled from society.

Two years ago, DC-Cam opened Anlong Veng Peace Center, and has developed many of the sites, adding information for visitors. In July, it will start training local tour guides, and has encouraged former Khmer Rouge soldiers to share their experiences with visitors, many of whom are currently Cambodian students.

“Our main objective is to promote memory, justice and reconciliation,” said centre director Ly Sok-Kheang. “We believe this can be done through dialogue and education. If a visitor really wants to learn about the Khmer Rouge, Anlong Veng is the best place to start and it can be developed into an important historical and educational tourist site.”

Sinan Thourn, chairman of PATA Cambodia Chapter, agrees that dark tourism has a role to play in preserving the turbulent past. But it needs to evolve and the focus shift away from the macabre, such as the skulls and bones of Choeung Ek or the harrowing cells of S-21.

He said: “Why can’t we add cultural elements? Villages next to Choeung Ek can open (their homes to) homestays, or show what happens to Cambodian people when they die and put on Buddhist funeral ceremonies for visitors. We can’t forget Cambodia’s history but we can’t just keep bringing people to these settings.

“Often when foreigners think of Cambodia, they think of landmines, genocide and Pol Pot. There is much more than that and there needs to be more promotion of the alternatives to get rid of this bad image.”

 

Big ships making big waves

By Paige Lee Pei Qi
0
ProEXR File Description =Attributes= cameraAperture (float): 48.3 cameraFNumber (float): 7 cameraFarClip (float): 1e+030 cameraFarRange (float): 1000 cameraFocalLength (float): 30 cameraFov (float): 77.6547 cameraNearClip (float): 0 cameraNearRange (float): 0 cameraProjection (int): 0 cameraTargetDistance (float): 12532.7 cameraTransform (m44f): [{0.797601, 0.601762, 0.0414196, 61160.1}, {0.603186, -0.795718, -0.05477, -16988.5}, {-1.40329e-007, 0.0686683, -0.99764, 5303.87}, {0, 0, 0, 1}] channels (chlist) compression (compression): Zip dataWindow (box2i): [0, 0, 8999, 5063] displayWindow (box2i): [0, 0, 8999, 5063] lineOrder (lineOrder): Increasing Y pixelAspectRatio (float): 1 screenWindowCenter (v2f): [0, 0] screenWindowWidth (float): 1 type (string): "scanlineimage" =Channels= A (float) B (float) G (float) MultiMatteElement.B (float) MultiMatteElement.G (float) MultiMatteElement.R (float) R (float) VRayGlobalIllumination.B (float) VRayGlobalIllumination.G (float) VRayGlobalIllumination.R (float) VRayLighting.B (float) VRayLighting.G (float) VRayLighting.R (float) VRayReflection.B (float) VRayReflection.G (float) VRayReflection.R (float) VRayRefraction.B (float) VRayRefraction.G (float) VRayRefraction.R (float) VRayShadows.B (float) VRayShadows.G (float) VRayShadows.R (float) VRaySpecular.B (float) VRaySpecular.G (float) VRaySpecular.R (float) VRayWireColor.B (float) VRayWireColor.G (float) VRayWireColor.R (float) Z (float)

Cruise lines are pulling out all the stops to entice potential customers in the emerging Asian market. Paige Lee Pei Qi highlights what the major cruise lines are offering in their latest and upcoming pipeline

 

Dream Cruises
Latest: Genting Dream is the first ship under Genting Hong Kong’s new premium cruise line Dream Cruises. Launched in November 2016, the 150,000-tonne ship was designed specifically for the Asian and Chinese markets and can cater 3,400 guests (see review on page 14).

A key highlight is the exclusive Dream Palace suites and garden penthouses, which include European-style butler service, private pool and lounge, and spacious rooms with luxurious amenities. As well, more than 70 per cent of the ship’s cabins have balconies facing the ocean.

Other highlights include the world’s first Johnnie Walker House at sea, Penfolds Wine Vault, Zouk beach and night club, and more than 35 restaurants and bars, as well as family-oriented facilities like water slides, a rope climbing course, rock climbing, mini-golf, arcade, cinemas and the Little Pandas Club.

Genting Dream

What’s coming: Dream Cruises will launch World Dream in Asia in November 2017. The sister ship of Genting Dream, the newer ship will target the growing demand for luxury holiday travel in the region and offer exciting new destinations and programmes.

The 21-deck World Dream will be able to accommodate over 3,300 guests in 1,700 staterooms, of which 70 per cent have private balconies and over 100 offer connecting rooms.

Facilities onboard will include a spa, over 1,000m2 of luxury shops, six water slides, a Zouk nightclub, as well as numerous F&B options. Special attention will also be given to the meetings and incentive market, with numerous spaces and services designed to accommodate group needs.


Norwegian Cruise Line
Latest: Norwegian Joy is Norwegian Cruise Line’s first purpose-built cruise ship customised for the Chinese market. Just launched in June, the 3,850-guest ship will sail from her homeports in Shanghai and Beijing (Tianjin) beginning in summer 2017. It will feature The Haven by Norwegian, the line’s exclusive, ship-within-a-ship suite luxury complex, which includes an observation deck that features 180 degree views.

Other innovative features include a first-at-sea, two-level Ferrari-branded racetrack on the ship’s top deck, an open-air laser tag course, simulator rides as well as hover craft bumper cars and two multistorey waterslides. In addition, Norwegian Joy offers the line’s largest upscale shopping district, complete with duty-free shops to world-renowned global luxury brands.


Ferrari racetrack on Norwegian Joy

What’s coming: At approximately 167,800 gross tonnes, the 4,000-guest Norwegian Bliss is scheduled for delivery in spring 2018 to become the brand’s 16th ship.

The third ship in the line’s Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Bliss’ hull artwork was designed by marine life artist Wyland and will feature images of humpback whales to showcase the importance of conservation and ocean preservation.

After her inaugural summer season in Alaska, Norwegian Bliss will seasonally homeport in Miami from November 2018 to offer seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises, featuring calls in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean International
Latest: Ovation of the Seas, which is Asia’s largest and one of the world’s most technologically advanced ships, was launched in April 2016. This was the first time Royal Caribbean International deployed a brand-new ship to Asia, underscoring the region’s vast cruising potential.

The 18-deck, 4,905-guest Quantum Class ship homeports in Tianjin, Hong Kong and Sydney, and features several new Singapore sailings next April.

It offers a wide array of next-generation features exclusive to Royal Caribbean, such as the iFly skydiving simulator and the North Star observation glass capsule that rises 90m over the sea.

There’s also SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea – housing bumper cars, roller-skating, circus school, basketball court, among others.

The 10-storey Ultimate Abyss slide on Ovation of the Seas

What’s coming: The world’s largest ship at 230,000 gross tonnes, Symphony of the Seas will be delivered in April 2018. This 18-deck 6,780-guest Oasis Class cruise ship will feature 28 more staterooms than sister ship Harmony of the Seas.

Guests will enjoy the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea touting a 10-storey plunge, the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, interactive aqua park Splashwater Bay, the Bionic Bar, as well as the ZipLine, AquaTheater, Boardwalk with the carousel and Central Park, the first living park at sea. Also, there are 20 dining outlets onboard, to give guests diverse dining options.

Symphony of the Seas will begin her inaugural season in the Mediterranean to offer three- and seven-night cruises from Barcelona calling at Palma de Mallorca, Provence, Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples. Following which it will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale for winter 2018-19.

Costa Cruises
Latest: From April this year, Costa Cruises has based Costa neoRomantica in Asia to offer new itineraries covering destinations in Japan, South Korea and Russia. The fifth Costa ship to be based in Asia, the 1,800-pax Costa neoRomantica recently underwent a 90 million euros (US$101 million) makeover.

As part of Costa’s neoCollection cruises, the newly restyled Costa neoRomantica boasts contemporary interiors designed by Tillberg Design, a Swedish architectural firm, and Syntax, the London-based company specialising in prestigious hotels and spas. It also brings the concept of “Italy at Sea” to Asian passengers, with the new Go Costa, Let’s Festa! campaign introduced across Costa Asia’s fleets in 2017.

A Veranda Deluxe room on board Costa neoRomantica

What’s coming: Two new Costa ships will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The ships, each with 135,500 gross tons and carrying 4,200 guests, will be delivered in 2019 and 2020. They will be operated by Costa Asia, whose new ships are worth a total investment value of more than six billion euros.


Princess Cruises
Latest: Majestic Princess, launched on March 31, 2017, is the largest and most luxurious ship in the Princess Cruises fleet. It has a guest capacity of 3,560, with 1,780 staterooms spread over 19 decks.

A highlight on Majestic Princess is the two speciality restaurants created in collaboration with renowned chefs: La Mer, A French Bistro by three-Michelin-star chef Emmanuel Renaut and Harmony by Michelin-awarded chef Richard Chen.

Majestic Princess’ other star features include the largest duty free shopping at sea with 1,100m2 of luxury boutiques, and the Princess Luxury Bed available in all staterooms. Other facilities include karaoke rooms, an indoor swimming pool and a newly-rebranded Youth Centre in partnership with Discovery Communications for young cruisers aged three to 17.

La Mer on Majestic Princess

What’s coming: Regal Princess will be the first ship in the Princess Cruises fleet to boast the revolutionary Ocean Medallion Technology which will go live in November 2017, followed by Royal Princess and Caribbean Princess in early 2018.

Replacing the electronic key card, the wearable coin-size device can be worn on a wristband, as a pendant, in a clip or simply placed in a pocket. The Ocean Medallion experience is designed for an effortless, personalised vacation, starting with swift embarkation, and require no log-ins, passwords and tapping of the device against anything.

 

Small and intimate journeys
By Yixin

Avalon Waterways
Latest: Avalon introduced its suite ships to South-east Asia with the debut of the Avalon Siem Reap in March 2015, sailing between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, followed by the launch of the Avalon Myanmar cruising the Upper Irrawaddy.
With a capacity for 36 guests, both ships were built smaller than their European counterparts to allow them to traverse narrower sections of the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers.

Cabins measure 23m2 and feature open air balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows measuring 4.3m acoss.

What’s coming: The Avalon Saigon, scheduled for launch in 2018, will share identical features with its sister ships, and is likewise built small to make manoeuvres through narrower waterways possible.

“With a maximum capacity of only 36 guests, our smaller Mekong and Irrawaddy suite ships invite travellers to see the world differently by sailing into surprising places other ships cannot,” explained Terri Burke, managing director of Avalon Waterways.

All three ships in Avalon’s South-east Asia fleet will sail the new 18-day Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam itinerary in 2018, cruising the Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam.

Pandaw
Latest: Champa Pandaw was launched in September 2016 with 14 staterooms measuring 14m2. The two-deck vessel is fitted with an extra powerful engine to take on the strong rapids of the Upper Mekong, allowing Pandaw to pioneer sailings from Laos to China’s Yunnan Province, including Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Buddha Caves, Chiang Khong and Jinghong.

However, these reconnaissance journeys are subjected to changes and the possibility of having to transfer to speedboats in the low water season (December to March).

What’s coming: While Pandaw does not yet have plans for new ships it will debut a seven-night Irrawaddy Delta itinerary in March 2018, according to Sven Zika, a company spokesperson.

Katha Pandaw’s journey will begin from Yangon to Pyapon via the Twante Canal. It stops at Bogale, a historic trading port, before sailing across the delta to Myaungmya and heading up to Bassein. The ship then sails for Wakema, before winding down at Maubin and cruising back at Yangon.

Heritage Line
Latest: Heritage Line birthed the 46-pax Anawrahta in March 2016, unveiling one of the largest cabins and suites sailing the Irrawaddy river.

Deluxe cabins span 32m2 while suites range from Junior (48m2) to Executive (59m2) and Palatial Royal (86m2). Suites in the highest category were also given an added touch of luxury in the form of private Jacuzzis.

The Anawrahta also boasts a 1:1 crew to passenger ratio, and offers amenities such as a spa and pool deck.

What’s coming: Heritage Line may have retired its 10-year-old Ginger in February this year, but its namesake – a brand-new 12-suite ship – is expected to hit the waters of Halong Bay in mid-2018.

Heritage Lines’ director of sales and marketing, Andreas Schroetter, told TTG Asia that the new Ginger will give Halong Bay its only ship with a pool on the sundeck. Further details were not available at press time.

Hainan Airlines takes in-flight couture to swanky heights

By TTG Asia
0

Hainan Airlines took to a different style of runway last week, as its latest East-meets-West, cheongsam-inspired cabin uniforms were unveiled at the Paris Couture Week Fall/Winter 2017 earlier this month.

The airline had entered talks with Chinese designer Laurence Xu two years ago, and the two had gone through more than 1,000 design blueprints before the final product made it to the runway.

This would be the fifth-generation of the airline’s cabin uniform, following the previous design introduced in 2010.

Aviation roundup: China Airlines, JAL route updates and more

By TTG Asia
0

China Airlines heads to London
On December 1, China Airlines will begin four-times weekly flights from Taipei to London’s Gatwick Airport. It is the only airline in Taiwan to offer this route.

The 13-hour flight will be serviced by the A350-900 XWB aircraft, which will be equipped with 32 premium business class, 31 premium economy class and 243 economy class seats.

Also from December 1, China Airlines will increase the frequency of services on the Taipei-Sydney route to twice daily, while the Taipei-Brisbane-Auckland flight will be upgraded to a daily service.

Hainan Airlines plans Brisbane-Shenzhen flights
Hainan Airlines will launch a twice-weekly Shenzhen-Brisbane from September 20, the airline’s second intercontinental flight from Shenzhen and its fifth direct flight to Australia and New Zealand.

Flight HU411 will depart on Wednesdays and Sundays from Shenzhen at 22.35 and arrive in Brisbane at 09.30 the following day. The return leg, HU412, will depart Brisbane on Mondays and Thursdays at 11.30, and arrive in Shenzhen 18.40 the same day. The route will utilise an Airbus A330 deluxe wide-body aircraft.

Tianjin Airlines takes off for Vladivostok
Tianjin Airlines has begun flights between Tianjin and Vladivostok, a major Pacific port city in Russia.

Flight GS7969 departs Tianjin on Mondays and Fridays at 23.55 and arrives in Vladivostok at 04.10 the following day, while flight GS7970 departs Vladivostok on Mondays and Fridays at 05.40, and arrives in Tianjin at 06.30 the following day.

The airline is also planning new air routes from Tianjin to London via Xi’an and from Chongqing to Melbourne later this year.

Route updates for JAL’s Heathrow, Bangkok service
Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced revisions to its flight frequency and fleet plans on certain international routes for fiscal year 2017, ending in March 31, 2018.

From October 29 to March 24, 2018, JL041 will depart Haneda at 02.45 and arrive in Heathrow at 06.25 the same day. The return leg will have flight JL042 depart Heathrow at 09.30 and arrive in Haneda at 06.25 the following day. This daily flight will be utilising a B787-8 aircraft.

From March 25, 2018 onwards, flights from Haneda to Heathrow will depart at 01.55 and land at 06.25 respectively. The return leg will see the plane depart Heathrow at 09.30, and arrive in Haneda at 05.15 the following day.

JAL is also increasing the flight frequency between Narita and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport from October 29 to March 24, 2018. Utilising a B787-8 aircraft, the flight now operates daily.

JL717 will depart Narita at 12.40 and arrive in Bangkok at 18.00, while JL718 will depart Bangkok at 23.25 and arrive in Narita at 07.15 the next day.

Meanwhile, JAL will indefinitely suspend flights between Tokyo Narita and Seoul’s Incheon from March 25, 2018.

Fortune Wings Club, Virgin Australia launch frequent flyer partnership
Four member airlines of the Fortune Wings Club – HNA Group’s Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Capital Airlines and Tianjin Airlines – have begun their reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement with Velocity, the travel awards programme of Virgin Australia.

Members of the Fortune Wings Club can now accrue Fortune Wings status qualifying points and award points when flying Virgin Australia between and within Australia and New Zealand and Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). Also, members of Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer programme can accrue Velocity points when using the airlines of the Fortune Wings Club.

Details on the award tickets redemption and reciprocal elite benefits will be announced later in August. Members of either programme will be able to redeem their points for award tickets on the other party’s flights, and elite members will enjoy a variety of privileges, such as priority check-in, additional free baggage allowance, lounge access and priority boarding.

ITB Asia to reel in bigger pool of buyers in milestone year

By TTG Asia
0

Messe Berlin (Singapore) is anticipating the buyer programme to scale up at ITB Asia 2017, with 90 per cent of recommended buyers targeted to attend the 10th anniversary edition of the show this year.

There is an increase in the number of hotel groups participating in the programme this year, including names like Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Best Western Hotel Group, Meliá Hotels International, Resorts World Sentosa, WorldHotels and Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

Katrina Leung

The event is also seeing closer collaboration with key associations – including Malaysian Association for Tour & Travel Agents, Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India and National Association of Independent Travel Agents – which helps to bring a fresh pool of buyers to the event.

“We want to continue this momentum by working with our partners to bring a fresh pool of influential buyers from across the region” said Katrina Leung, executive director of Messe Berlin (Singapore). “Working closely with our exhibitors this year has allowed us to increase the number of buyer programme partnerships and deep dive into each local market to identify key areas of growth and demand.”

In 2016, 895 buyers attended the show, leading to a 1:1 ratio between exhibitors and buyers whilst over 50 per cent of buyers signed deals with exhibitors post event. Some 43 per cent of attending buyers had purchasing power of US$500,000 to US$1 million while 85.7 per cent of attending buyers were direct decision makers.

For more information on ITB Asia 2017, visit www.itb-asia.com

New heritage status for Cambodian temple a likely boon for rural tourism

By Marissa Carruthers
0
Sambor Prei Kuk

The addition of Sambor Prei Kuk as Cambodia’s third and newest UNESCO World Heritage Site last Saturday is expected to drive tourism to the country’s less explored regions.

The site, a collection of 50 pre-Angkorian temples sitting between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Kampong Thom province, has till now either been “mostly ignored” or treated as a short add-on while transiting between the two cities, said Kimhean Pich, founder and CEO of Discover the Mekong.

Among the Sambor Prei Kuk ruins

With the new title, travel agents and tour operators are more likely to prioritise the attraction and tourism in the province, he continued.

Khiri Travel is one operator that has included the site in its tours, pushing Sambor as a stopover on land journeys between Siem Reap and the capital. The DMC has also developed a series of homestays and community-based ecotourism projects at nearby Isan Borei.

Miles Gravett, Khiri general manager, said: “With (upgraded) roads and this new recognition, more people will opt for the overland route, particularly in the green season when the Kampong Thom countryside is a sea of green rice fields and sugar palm trees, the iconic image of Cambodia’s heartland.”

The UNESCO status is expected to play a role in preserving the ancient site, said Chin Meankung, founder of Cambodian Experiences. “Hopefully, the temple will have enough funds (for preservation) and be a big boost to the local economy through tourism.”

Four Seasons adds third private jet itinerary for 2018

By TTG Asia
0

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has unveiled an additional 2018 programme for its private jet experience, with its September 2017 journeys sold out and first two 2018 programmes selling fast.

The World of Adventures programme (October 19 – November 11, 2018) begins in Seattle and ends in Orlando, taking guests to Kyoto, Bali, Seychelles, Marrakech, Bogotá and the Galápagos Islands in between.

Itinerary highlights include exposure to samurai sword-fighting in Kyoto, a trek in Rwanda’s Volanoes National Park with a naturalist guide, a day in the Marrakech Atlas Mountains and a cruise through the Galápagos.

The first itinerary for next year (March 1-24, 2018) covers Hawaii, Bora Bora, Sydney, Bali, Chaing Mai/Chiang Rai, Taj Mahal, Dubai, Prague and London.

Named Timeless Encounters, guests will be offered adventures such as seaplane rides in Sydney, whitewater rafting in Bali and underwater exploration in Bora Bora.

The International Intrigue programme (September 14 – October 7, 2018) takes travellers from Seattle to London, with stops in Seattle, Kyoto, Hoi An, the Maldives, Serengeti, Marrakech, Budapest and St Petersburg.

Experiences range from cycling through the countryside around Hoi An to a hot air balloon ride across the Serengeti and a private tram ride along the Danube River.

Timeless Encounters and International Intrigue begin at US$135,000 (double occupancy), while World of Adventures is priced upwards of US$138,000 (double occupancy).

Each journey includes air travel aboard the Four Seasons Private Jet, ground transportation, planned excursions, all meals and beverages throughout the trip, and at Four Seasons accommodations. At two remote destinations part of the World of Adventures itinerary, guests will stay at accommodations selected by Four Seasons.

1...1,5731,5741,575...2,863Page 1,574 of 2,863

Tried and Tested

What to Buy Now

 
Subscribe To
Advertise With Us
 
Asia-Pacific's Leading Travel Trade Business Resource Since 1974

  • All Rights Reserved

Copyright TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd © 2024-2025
Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | PATA Singapore Chapter debuts industry dialogue on hot issues
TTG Asia | Cross Hotels to develop Bali Uluwatu Resort
TTG Asia | Hilton teams up with Explora Journeys to expand loyalty programme to luxury ocean voyages